All ArticlesAsiaChildren's Rights

The issue of abuse of children in Pakistan

0
Photo Source: Sadie Kautz, uploaded on Flickr on February 23, 2016

06/12/2024

Emma Wijnen

Team Pakistan Researcher, 

Global Human Rights Defence.

The report on Friday of a 14-year-old boy being molested in Buner is the most recent case of sexual abuse in Pakistan. The case involves a police officer who allegedly abused the boy, a heinous act of exploitation that underscores the deep-rooted issues surrounding child abuse in Pakistan.

The accused police official was arrested after the boy’s family filed a complaint. The case drew attention to the shocking reality that even institutions meant to protect citizens, like the police, can become perpetrators of abuse. This incident is particularly concerning given that children in Pakistan often face abuse at the hands of trusted adults – whether family members, teachers, or even law enforcement officers. In the first half of 2024, already 1,630 cases of sexual abuse of children were reported. In 48 percent of the cases, the abuser was an acquaintance of the victim. 

While in the Buner case, the police officer was arrested and charged. It still underscores systemic issues in Pakistan’s child protection mechanisms. The lack of adequate legal frameworks, enforcement, and support systems often leaves children vulnerable to such abuse. Pakistan has laws like the Zainab Alert, Response, and Recovery Act, named after the 6-year-old girl Zainab Ansari, who was raped and murdered a couple of years ago. This law aims at combating child abuse and trafficking, but its implementation remains inconsistent. 

Child abuse remains a pervasive issue in Pakistan, with disturbing incidents highlighting the vulnerability of children to exploitation and violence. 

Sources and further readings:

Bacham U, “Police official booked for ‘molesting’ teenage boy in KP’s Buner” (Dawn, 6 December 2024) <https://www.dawn.com/news/1877110/police-official-booked-for-molesting-teenage-boy-in-kps-buner> accessed on 6 December 2024. 

BBC, “Pakistan Zainab murder: Imran Ali hanged for six-year-old’s death” (BBC, 17 October 2018) <https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45885686> accessed on 6 December 2024.

Junaidi I, “Over 1,600 cases of child abuse reported during last six months: report” (Dawn, 9 Augustus 2024) <https://www.dawn.com/news/1851068> accessed on 6 December 2024. 

Latest Restrictions on Women’s Freedom in Afghanistan

Previous article

Relationship tested between Pakistan and Syria

Next article

You may also like

Comments

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in All Articles